Perhaps, but this is the first headphone that has the sound signature I was always looking for. Comfortable, velour padded, bassy, open, and sparkly without being overly treble-y like the HE-400 and DT990. Bassy and open are two things headphones just can never get right, in terms of my personal preference. HE-400 came close, but it didn't have the bass emphasis I wanted, which is why I sold the first HE-400 and went back to the 990. Then I missed the HE-400 and bought it again, but then upgraded to the LCD2, which had a very different signature than my ultimate preference (though still one of my very faves). It's basically been since the DT990 that I haven't had that particular tonality that I love (though the 990's treble is too much from what I wanted). The X1 gives me that, with some warmth and less treble. I was sold from the moment I heard them.

Just picked up the HE-400 from another Head-Fier and it should be here sometime tomorrow. It wasn't something on my roadmap, but I haven't jumped into any orthos yet and figured it could be a bridge to the HE-500. Knowing what I know about your preferences and knowing I tend to light brighter signatures with light bass, I think I actually like what you are saying here about the HE-400. I don't know. We'll see. It's one of those cans I had relatively no interest in until a deal came by that made me sorta interested. I'll never know what I'll like out there if I don't try, right?

It's a FANTASTIC headphone. So much, i bought it twice. The treble though... can be jarring.... it's REALLY up there, and doesn't make sense when the HE-400 is a dark sounding headphone. You'll see what I mean. It's a dark headphone, with treble that defines what people would consider a BRIGHT headphone. It's confusing.

Can't wait. I think it might be one of those quick turnarounds for me, but it's better to know than to not know.. Still really interested in the HE-500 and that will probably be the catalyst to sell them off somewhat quickly.

Him or me? I loved it. It's close to perfect. If Hifiman made a new headphone with the same tonality of the HE-400 with less treble, it'd be one hell of a winner. First though, they need to do away with their horrible connectors, and have a new design.Edited by Mad Lust Envy - 6/20/13 at 10:24am

Him or me? I loved it. It's close to perfect. If Hifiman made a new headphone with the same tonality of the HE-400 with less treble, it'd be one hell of a winner. First though, they need to do away with their horrible connectors, and have a new design.

Perhaps, but this is the first headphone that has the sound signature I was always looking for. Comfortable, velour padded, bassy, open, and sparkly without being overly treble-y like the HE-400 and DT990. Bassy and open are two things headphones just can never get right, in terms of my personal preference. HE-400 came close, but it didn't have the bass emphasis I wanted, which is why I sold the first HE-400 and went back to the 990. Then I missed the HE-400 and bought it again, but then upgraded to the LCD2, which had a very different signature than my ultimate preference (though still one of my very faves). It's basically been since the DT990 that I haven't had that particular tonality that I love (though the 990's treble is too much from what I wanted). The X1 gives me that, with some warmth and less treble. I was sold from the moment I heard them.

Maybe give the MA900 a shot? It's got cloth padding... dunno how you feel about that.

Oh I know I'd like the MA900. I'm just looking to move up now into a bigger budget bracket. The HE-400 is not in that bracket, but it's a stepping stone and I haven't have an ortho yet. The ones I'm eyeballing right now are the HE-500 and HD 700.